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IN MEMORIAM
Clark T. Sawin, MD
May 23, 1934 – August 11, 2004
Clark T. Sawin, MD, American Thyroid Association (ATA) President and member for more than 30 years, died on Aug. 11 in Washington, DC.
Dr. Sawin joined the Tufts faculty in 1966 and was a Professor of Medicine at both Tufts and Boston University schools of medicine. He was Chief of the Endocrine-Diabetes Section at the Boston VA Medical Center from 1966–1998. Most recently, Dr. Sawin was the Medical Inspector for the Veterans Administration’s health care system in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for monitoring quality of care.
Dr. Sawin graduated from Brandeis University and received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at the University of Illinois Research and Educational Hospitals in Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Korea and Massachusetts, he completed his residency in medicine at New England Medical Center Hospitals and the Boston VA Hospital. He launched his career in endocrinology while performing a U.S. Public Health Service Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in endocrinology at New England Medical Center Hospitals.
Dr. Sawin’s research interests were in clinical thyroid disease, especially focusing on issues around treatment of hypothyroidism and changes in thyroid function with aging. He made major contributions to understanding the epidemiology of thyroid disease using the longitudinal Framingham Study database. His observation on the association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, had a major impact on the treatment of hyperthyroid patients. More recently, he was involved in a number of multicenter trials to optimize the care of diabetic patients. His major interest over the past two decades was the history of endocrinology. He published widely in this area and was a regular speaker at national and international endocrinology meetings on this topic. He was the Book Reviews and Historical Editor of The Endocrinologist.
Dr. Sawin supported patient education and was a member of the physician advisory board of the Thyroid Foundation of America. He also served on a number of national expert panels to set policy for thyroid testing and thyroid disease treatment.
An ATA member since 1972, Dr. Sawin served on and chaired the Education Committee. In addition, he chaired the History and Archives Committee for 15 years before his presidential term and, for more than 10 years, gave a regular lecture on thyroid history at the ATA Annual Meeting.
As ATA president, Dr. Sawin focused on supporting the society’s efforts to raise funds for thyroid research, expanding the public’s knowledge of thyroid disease, and expanding the membership, particularly in efforts to recruit younger members.
As the long-time purveyor and keeper of ATA history, Dr. Sawin will be remembered as an integral part of the ATA’s story. In recognizing the benefit of recording the past, he once said, “We all realize the importance and value of the ATA’s history and trust that on that foundation we will build a rich and full future.” He was not just about the past, but made carrying out the ATA’s Strategic Plan a central goal of his presidential term.
Dr. Sawin was very excited about the future of the thyroid specialty and the ATA, and he was an enthusiastic supporter of the ATA Endowment for thyroid research. Speaking about contributions to the Endowment, he said, “There is no greater gift to the future of the ATA and that of thyroidology than research.” He added, “New members are joining us with new ideas and energy — especially the energy — for discoveries in thyroid research. This is all very gratifying to me and to the society. This society has been a home for many of us, filled with the support of friends over many years. We need to give back to the society so that she will be here for the future thyroidologist who needs a home.”
“Clark has left his mark on us and on the ATA in so many ways,”reflected Gregory Brent, MD, ATA Secretary. “His passion for history has influenced a generation of endocrinologists to have a much greater respect and appreciation for what has come before. His strong character and sense of truth is applied as a template for our judgments and decisions. He, of course, had a great passion for research and support of young investigators, and this will continue to be our focus for years to come. We will all deeply miss Clark, but are so appreciative of his life and dedication. He has had a lasting impact on our association, the field of thyroidology, and our personal lives.”
Dr. Sawin is survived by his wife, Leslie, of 22 years; his daughter, Jennifer Sawin Stoddard of Silver Spring, Md.; his sons, Philip Sawin of Cincinnati and Kenneth Sawin of Edinburgh, Scotland; his sisters, Loretta Pietrzak of Hingham, Mass., Jane Neri of Plainfield, Mass., and Judith Pradell of Boston; his brother, David Sawin of Boston; and two grandchildren, Sarah and Jack.
ATA Colleagues Recall Fond Memories of Clark Sawin
